Stunned McConnell blames Democrats after crucial health care loss

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




By CRISTIANO LIMA 07/28/2017 02:42 AM EDT

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed "regret" and "disappointment" immediately after the GOP failed to pass a minimalist Obamacare repeal bill early Friday, blaming congressional Democrats for not engaging "in a serious way" in the efforts to remedy the health care law.

"I imagine many of our colleagues on the other side are celebrating, probably pretty happy about this," a stunned seeming McConnell said from the Senate floor. "But the American people are hurting and they need relief."

-snip-

"I want to thank everybody in this conference for the endless amount of time that they spent trying to achieve a consensus to go forward," McConnell remarked. The Republican senator also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their work in pushing the bill forward. Pence spent much of the preliminary voting period speaking to and seeking to sway Republican lawmakers in favor of the bill.

Despite his party's inability to come together to pass through the legislation, McConnell pinned much of the fault on Senate Democrats. "Our friends on the other side decided early on they didn't want to engage with us in a serious way, a serious way to help those suffering under Obamacare," McConnell said.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/28/mcconnell-blames-democrats-healthcare-loss-241067?lo=ap_a1

[Pachamama]

1. Fuck you McConnell eom

[dalton99a]

2. He was helpless - Democrats control the Senate

and the House and everything else

[Stuart G]

6. oops.............he controls the Senate...It was McConnells fault..

not someone else.....take responsibility!!!

[demosincebirth]

56. Not my fault. Point a finger, you have three pointed back at you

[barbtries]

38. good one

it is indeed quite a stretch. but he'll fold himself into a pretzel to escape responsibility for HIS failure.

[klook]

51. Think of the billionaires!

Tears for the mansion dwellers, afraid to leave their gated communities for fear they might have to interact with plebeians!

[BigmanPigman]

49. Is that why he was just about to cry during his speech? Poor, poor thing.

SAD! Really horrible, sad!

[Astraea]

3. FU McTurtle

As if you ever gave a shit about the American people. You knew this bill was about hurting as many of them as possible.

[mazzarro]

35. +100% - n/t

[The Wielding Truth]

48. Yes. That is the real point. He just wants this through, so they can give tax breaks to the rich.

[catbyte]

4. Boo fucking hoo, you vile, evil asshole. You will NEVER destroy President Obama's legacy.

Your entire life is a big fat fail.

[woundedkarma]

5. McConnell the mirror

Reverse everything McConnell says.. literally the exact opposite of what he says is how he plans/thinks/feels. So it's weird that he seems to be pretty happy about this outcome.

[forgotmylogin]

33. McConnell's hypocrisy is astounding.

The GOP leader pointed to Democrats, saying, "Now I think it's appropriate to ask, what are their ideas? It'll be interesting to see what they suggest as the way forward."

Um, sorted. The ACA is the way forward and was already done.

"They [Democrats] did everything they could to prevent the Senate from providing a better way forward, including such things as reading amendments...for endless amounts of time."

You had EIGHT YEARS. You wouldn't show anyone the text of what you were scrabbling together. You wanted to pass the thing in 20 hours. That's not the Democrats' fault.

"...Such things as holding up nominations for key positions in the Administration because they were unhappy."

Hoisted by your own hypocritical petard.

[Sunlei]

7. INSURANCE CORPS LIST PLANS ON TV & INTERNET- MAKE THEM USE THE EXCHANGE TO LIST PLANS!

easy as that Mitch!

[BeyondGeography]

8. There you were, Mitch, standing there with your Scaramucci in your hand

And what a beautiful sight it was.

[tavernier]

44. And his covfefees.

[Txbluedog]

9. Was this before or after he appeared before his Koch overlords

for his whipping

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. The "Obamacare problems" meme is a RW meme. Republicons ARE sabotaging it & they push the meme.

The meme lays the groundwork for their strategy: They hope their sabotage destroys Obamacare and then they will claim it was fundamentally flawed.

Republican Sen. Rubio snuck a tiny provision into a thousand page bill. That provision blocks certain insurance markets and sabotages Obamacare.

Expect a lot more of that.

[luvtheGWN]

32. I remember reading about that little Rubio sabotage

and wondering why the Democrats don't ever mention it. Every time a Repub talks about the ACA failing, a Democrat needs to follow up with this. Why the hell don't they?

[Jim Lane]

64. There's at least one legitimate problem that's not Rubio's fault -- the Medicaid gap

It wasn't part of the ACA as enacted but it's now a real problem, because of the Supreme Court and several Republican state governments. SCOTUS largely upheld the ACA but struck down the mandatory expansion of Medicaid. Some of the more pragmatic Republicans, like Kasich, went ahead with the expansion anyway. Others, however, did not. The result is that there are a few million people who make too much money for Medicaid but too little money for the subsidies. They're subject to the individual mandate to buy insurance but can't afford to.

Of course, the Republicans, keen to deny health care to as many people as possible, would have no interest in working with the Democrats to address the Medicaid gap. Nevertheless, it would be worth the Democrats' while to propose such a bill. The proposal would be just a political stunt but it might be an effective stunt.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

65. Good points. Thanks. . . . . nt

[Achilleaze]

11. SoreLoserMan Snowflake republican wankers

should stop whining. It is so lame.

Suck it up. The American people won. republicans lost. Deal with it.

[Stuart G]

12. ..Think about this sentence...and a thoughts about it.....

"Our friends on the other side decided early on they didn't want to engage with us in a serious way, a serious way to help those suffering under Obamacare," McConnell said..................

McConnell and 6 or 7 men from the Republican party constructed this bill...There was NO INPUT FROM ANYONE ELSE

.............NO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
.............NO HEARINGS
.............NO OPEN DISCUSSION
.............NO WOMEN INVOLVED
.............NO DEMOCRATES WERE ASKED TO BE INVOLVED
.............NOBODY BUT MC CONNELL AND 6 or 7 OTHERS...

MC CONNELL IS A FUCKEN LIAR.. HE NEVER TRIED TO ENGAGE ANYONE BUT HIS GROUP

[Achilleaze]

14. + 1,000

This is where real journalists and real news organizations should be forceful voices calling out the blatant, treacherous republican lies, and presenting the facts.

[barbtries]

39. bald-faced lie.

hypocrisy and revolting projection of his own MO onto the Democrats.

[FakeNoose]

68. The healthcare bill was handed to them by the insurance companies

McConnell's "committee" had no meetings, hearings, open discussions or anything else, because they didn't write the f*cking bill. It was written by insurance industry lobbyists and lawyers so they could get everything they wanted. All McConnell added was the tax breaks for his billionaire buddies, and they were set. Nothing to talk about, nothing to negotiate, it was a done deal.

Same thing with Paul Ryan's bill from the House - he got the bill handed to him because he and his committee didn't write shit. Most of the R's don't even know what's in the bill because most haven't read it. Neither has Trump, but we already know he can't read.

[global1]

13. Putting The So-Called Repug Plan Together Behind Closed Doors....

even his own Party didn't know what was in the plan. McConnell didn't want to engage with Dems in any way - let alone a serious way. He was only interested in passing something that would amount to the Repugs giving massive tax relief for the 1%'ers.

This was never about healthcare in any serious way. It was a big takeaway from the middle class and passing it on to the wealthy.

His quote about the American People are hurting and the need relief - was about the 1% that were hurting and wanted tax relief - like they need it. This was not about healthcare - it was about greed, greed and more greed.

Luckily - the real American People saw through that and bird-dogged the Repugs all around the country. Threatened the Repugs with their jobs. That's the only thing that they respond to.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all those Americans that made calls, sent e-mails, attended town halls, badgered their representatives all over the country. They were the real hero's in this.

[Stuart G]

21. Hit the nail on the head, McConnel didn't want anyone else, he's a liar!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marthe48]

15. con is a freaking LIAR

he ignored the rules governing legislation, isolated the Democratic senators, ignored their attempts for bipartisan work on legislation. He has no more familiarity with Senate conventions than a dog. We watched con denigrate all but 13 senators, and ignore the will of the majority of the American people. I hope that when he is next up to vote, that majority votes him the hell out the door. Please stop voting for incompetent venal monsters.

[Mz Pip]

16. Republicans can't govern

They've just been saying no for years. Now that they actually have to do something they don't have the ability. They've spent all this time thrown crap on the wall hoping something sticks.

[Marthe48]

20. They don't bother learning the rules and laws

don't bother listening, looking, reading. They are stupid bullies chosen by even stupider bullies.

[harun]

29. They complain to get elected but they can't govern themselves out of a wet paper bag

Their constituents should demand more than people who complain about big gov't and blame everything that is wrong in the world on the "libs", then laugh all the way to the bank.

[Zambero]

17. Mitch has the majority

If he can't hold his members together while Schumer delivers 100% from HIS caucus, then we're observing what is called a classic failure of leadership. Own it, Mitch!

[harun]

31. Well said.

[lib-ruhl]

18. No one to blame but yourself. ....

You had all the votes you needed so don't even go there....

As always, trying to blame something or someone else but never yourselves. .. you better suck it up cause we're going to expose you guys for everything you pretend to be but are not!....

[SHRED]

19. Poor little snowflake turtle has a sad.

[Cadfael]

22. Hard to "engage in a serious way"

When the door to the room where the bill is being written is locked.

[KewlKat]

23. +1 million

[moda253]

24. Hmmm I seem to recall a keg party in the rose garden...

fuck these people and their incompetence and cruelness.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. And all sorts of high-fiving. So much winning. nt

[GulfCoast66]

25. These fuckers claim to be about personal responsibility!

All. they can do is act like the victim and blame others.

McConnell failed!

Trump failed!

Think they are tired of winning yet!

[usaf-vet]

26. McTurtle has the years mixed up and the healthcare bill that was being worked on.

When the democrats were trying to provide the country with national healthcare. Trying to provide access for all. Trying to help all Americans it was the GOP who did everything they could to obstruct. In congress in the red states with billionaires money they have tried to kill Obamacare.

The truth is it's the GOP and their overlords that have hinder making the ACA better and more affordable.

[Javaman]

27. LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!

like the typical right wing moron, he lashes out at the easy target rather than blame his own party for their continued fuck ups.

[Blue Idaho]

28. It was the tens of millions of Americans

Who defeated this bill. Everyone that assembled, called, wrote, emailed, and faxed both GOP and Democratic Congressional critters. if it weren't for the resistance - elected Democrats would have never grown a spine and a few republicans grown a conscience.

It also turns out McConnell isn't nearly as bright as people thought. This is important as the GOP looks to pass a budget that is more harmful than TrumpCare. It's odds are now in serious doubt.

[luvtheGWN]

34. Anyone living in a country with universal healthcare or a reasonable facsimile

could have told the GOP that messing with people's healthcare (i.e. limiting access and affordability) is just about the WORST thing a government can do. Maybe in a country where at least 50% of its citizens are under 40 the situation might be different. The US is not that country!
And I almost threw my cup of tea at the TV last night when that dreadful Stephen Moore was going on and on about how horrible "government-run" Canadian healthcare is, and how people want "freedom to choose". No you f'ing idiot, people want affordable access to good health care -- the kind I'm so very fortunate to have. (By the way, my doctor and I make all the decisions about my healthcare needs, and a cancer diagnosis 9 years ago was looked after promptly and successfully -- no waiting!).

[Blue Idaho]

66. My Canadian Friends

Just laugh and shake their heads when they hear these wild eyed claims from the nutcases that have no clue about how well the Canadian healthcare system works. America should be so lucky...

[Freethinker65]

30. Republicans have the WH and majorities in the House & Senate. Republicans, and Mitch, failed.

[barbtries]

36. blame yourself you fucking douchebag

your bill had 17% support from the people you supposedly represent. 17%!

just one more thing to hate republicans for: they never take responsibility when they lose. HUGE assholes

[GeorgeGist]

37. Playing to the dumbasses.

[Motley13]

40. The turtle was trying to look so intimidating, with arms folded, as McCain gave his thumbs down

how does a turtle look intimidating especially to the likes of a John McCain?

[Maven]

41. Good, BLAME US

You're 100% right, Traitor McTurtle. You tired to kill thousands of Americans and bankrupt countless others and WE STOPPED YOU. Blame us - we welcome your hatred! And fuck you!

[Bradical79]

43. Some Republicans should be thanking Democrats

Kept them from passing one of the most hated pieces of legislation I've ever seen. As tough as it's going to be for these guys in 2018, it could've been so much worse.

[SCantiGOP]

45. I agree with the Honorable Senator McConnell (Turtle-KY)

and I am proud as a Democrat to take blame for this atrocity's death, and wish to commend our Democratic Senators and the three Republicans who were able to break away from the Tea Party for their service to this country.

[turbinetree]

46. How does it feel asshole, to be taken down with the RESISTANCE of the masses, millions of US

we are coming and we are not going to stop

You are an asshole along with the other assholes that voted to hurt human beings that have per-existing conditions your heartless attack to make a buck off death has come home to roost and your fucking party is now exposed. And every fucking rider that your Marco Rubio's of world that will now try to put riders on appropriation bills will be defeated asshole


FUCK YOU


We need asshole Medicare for all Universal Healthcare for all, Single Payer for all , that will give the public relief, asshole

[DemoTex]

47. You tried SO hard to fuck us, Mitch!

In the words of my friend Will Pitt, "Fuck me? Oh no, no, no. FUCK YOU. The GOP civil war just broke wide open."

[MineralMan]

50. Hey, Mitch! Wanna give us relief?

Resign from the Senate and take a few other Republicans with you. We'd all breathe a big sigh of relief if you did that.

Thanks for your cooperation.

[avebury]

52. Talk about delusional

If you choose to hide a handful of men behind close doors churning out health care bills like they are in a pizza parlor while intentionally excluding the Democrats then you only need to look in the mirror to see who to blame. Talk about snowflakes.



If the Republicans have demonstrated anything it is that, when given the chance, they cannot govern their way out of a paper bag.

[asiliveandbreathe]

53. Mcconnell tried to thwart the rules of the Senate..by deferring to the house...

I believe this is one of mccains beef...

[harun]

62. Yeah, he knew what was going on. House would have passed it instead of improving it in Conference.

McCain said eff u to that.

[booksenkatz]

54. People are hurting and need relief?

Gee, in that case, maybe they should go to their doctors for treatment.

[gademocrat7]

55. Mcturdle you own this.

You and your minions wanted to destroy President Obama's legacy. You care nothing about the citizens in this country.

[Stuart G]

57. "But the American people are hurting and they need relief." relief from McConnell (IMO)

[lark]

58. Sad, lying turtle.

He didn't include the Dems at any step of this process, didn't even include most of his caucus, only 13 MEN. If he'd have had regular meetings and included Dems, they could have had a better product and it might have passed. Instead, they were totally excluded, no participation allowed and then to complain that they didn't vote for this after all of that, totally shameful and mendacious. Repugs wanted to take all the money away from poor people's health and give it to the rich so they didn't want Dems to participate because that was not part of their mandate or goals. they didn't give a shit about real healthcare, this was just a tax bill with medical aspects (if even that) to most Repugs. If R's had pushed fixing the problems instead of stealing $$, there would have been a different outcome. Only most of them don't give a shit, they are just thieves, and that was the whole point of this exercise, stealing $ from healthcare and gifting it back to the richest .01%..

[wolfie001]

59. If it would have caused him to have a fatal stroke....

....then I would have celebrated. This outcome is still very tenuous.

[BigDemVoter]

60. Bwahahahaha

Poor Turtle. . . .

[Vogon_Glory]

61. The people on our side of the aisle believe that

People should have affordable health coverage and that McConnell, Trump, Ryan, and other members of the Republican leadership deals in bad faith.

[Skittles]

63. the only thing America needs relief from is REPUBLICANS

[3catwoman3]

67. Mitchie and his buddies keep yapping about...

..."This is what we were elected to do," (repealing the ACA) without having noticed that their constituents have largely changed their minds about this. Surely they at least heard about the dismal level of support, or, more accurately, lack of support once people learned about the secretly-crafted bill. Wasn't it something like 17%.

If your voters change their minds about an issue, Mitch, don't you owe it to them to follow their new preference?